The 2002 World Cup winner endured a difficult time in his own two-year spell in Manchester, amid stiff competition from a selection of legendary midfielders, though left with an FA Cup winners’ medal in 2004.
Nevertheless, Kleberson paved the way for Brazilians at United, with Cunha the latest, following in the footsteps of Anderson, 2008 UEFA Champions League winner, and the Da Silva twins, as well as Andreas, Alex Telles, Fred, Casemiro and Antony in more recent years.